Connecting a classic pool pump

BoPi can control any kind of regular pool pump (the non variable speed type) as they are powered by a power contact and BoPi only needs to control that contact.

A power contact uses low power current to connect the top and bottom wires. You should check the documentation of your power contact to confirm but the low power is usually connected to A1 and A2. One of those should be connected to a neutral wire (usually A1 but depends on your existing setup) and the other is to receive the power (lead wire). When both are connected, you will hear the power contact clic loudly (and if its plugged in, the pump turn on).

The power side of A1/A2 is usually routed through a 3 way switch (see “understanding the 3 way switch”) :

• The wire going to A2 is from the center position of the switch.
• The Forced on wire comes straight from a Lead wire pick up point.
• The automatic wire should be routed from the same Lead wire pick up point as the “Forced on” wire and routed to one of BoPi’s relay and then from that relay to the switch.

This way, if the switch if off, nothing can happen, BoPi can’t turn on the pump. If the switch is on the “Forced On” position, the pump is turned on without BoPi’s implication and will stay on until the switch is turned off. When the switch is on the “Auto” position, BoPi will control the pump with its relay and be able to turn it on or off based on the mode and calendar set or force it on or off through the app. If BoPi is turned off, the pump just won’t turn on.

picture of BoPi with switch and contact

You may if you wish keep the old timer device in the electrical panel. You just need to unplug it from the switch and turn it off. If you wish, it would be possible to add a secondary 3 way switch to keep the ability to easily switch between BoPi and the timer but this is outside the scope of this documentation and is not needed. Should you ever wish to revert to the timer and have kept it, just plugging it back into the 3 way switch instead of BoPi would make it take control over the pump again.